THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 7, 1994 TAG: 9412070592
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
Bayside's week doesn't get any easier, but the top-ranked Marlins started their season with a victory worth savoring.
In a matchup of Beach District contenders, the Marlins held off a determined Green Run squad to post a 65-62 victory Tuesday night.
The Stallions, ranked No. 8 in South Hampton Roads, came from five points down early in the fourth quarter to grab a 60-58 lead with 2:52 remaining on a rebound basket by Plaxico Burress.
But Bayside scored seven unanswered points, including three free throws by Eric Carballo in the last minute, to pull out the win.
``If they're No. 1, then we aren't far behind,'' Green Run coach Mark Butts said.
Senior forward Lashawn Jones scored 21 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to pace the Marlins, who will face No. 2-ranked Booker T. Washington in Thursday's nightcap of opening-night action in the Tidewater Classic.
``Green Run, Booker T., Martin Luther King of New York (Saturday), then we turn around and play at (fourth-ranked) Cox next Tuesday,'' Bayside coach Ron Jenkins said. ``I think we need a home game somewhere in there.''
Being on the road for their opener didn't hurt the Marlins as they raced to a 16-6 lead. But the willingness to play at a frantic pace did as Green Run (1-1 overall, 0-1 district) charged back to take a 31-30 halftime lead.
It also put 6-foot-8 Bayside center Marcus Riddick on the bench with three first-half fouls.
``It was our plan to take it to Marcus and get him in foul trouble,'' Butts said. ``We needed to get him out of the middle.''
Riddick had seven rebounds and five blocks in the first half, but sat much of the second half.
The third quarter saw eight lead changes, then Bayside went on a five-point run capped by a short jumper by Jones to grab a 51-46 lead early in the fourth.
Green Run forward Will Brooks caught fire, scoring 10 of his team-high 19 points in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough.
``Playing the No. 1 team, we had some jitters,'' Butts said. ``The good thing about this is we know where we stand and what we have to do.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
BILL TIERNAN/Staff
G. Run's Will Brooks, who had 10 of his team-high 19 points in the
final period, goes by Bayside's Lashawn Jones.
by CNB